Protected Area Guide
The United States is home to a vast network of protected areas, safeguarding a diverse array of landscapes for conservation and recreation. These areas span the country, encompassing everything from coastal wetlands and redwood forests to rolling grasslands and rugged mountain terrain. The primary activities available within these protected areas include hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and cycling on both gravel and paved surfaces.
This collection of the best protected areas in United States features moreβ¦
10160
Routes
4.7
(11118)
Average rating
234K+
Explored with komoot
Last updated: April 23, 2026

4.6
(524)
6,151
hikers
Briar Summit Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain for hiking, jogging, and cycling, with nearly 360-degree views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(235)
6,045
hikers
Old Saint Hilary'S Open Space Preserve offers 232 acres of varied terrain and multi-use trails for hiking, cycling, and jogging with expansive bay views.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(171)
5,789
hikers
Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve features redwood groves, diverse woodlands, and Larkspur Creek, offering varied terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and jogging.
Hiking
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Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(168)
5,593
hikers
King Mountain Open Space Preserve offers diverse landscapes for hiking and cycling, featuring panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and Mount Tamalpais.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(146)
4,749
hikers
Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve features distinctive geology, diverse landscapes, and panoramic Bay Area views, offering routes for hiking and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(152)
4,563
hikers
Horse Hill Open Space Preserve offers rolling hills and oak trees with panoramic views, providing varied terrain for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(140)
4,302
hikers
Camino Alto Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain with hilly fire roads and single-track paths through woodlands and grasslands for hiking, cycling, and jogging.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(152)
4,264
hikers
Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve offers 639 acres of diverse landscapes with trails for hiking, cycling, and jogging, suitable for various activity levels.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(257)
4,207
hikers
Moore Creek Upland Open Space Preserve offers diverse landscapes for hiking and mountain biking, featuring wildflower fields, oak woodlands, and coastal prairie.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(107)
3,940
hikers
Alto Bowl Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain with rolling hills, oak woodlands, and grasslands for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling between Mill Valley and Corte Madera.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(151)
3,696
hikers
Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve offers diverse landscapes for hiking and jogging, including cool canyons, ridge views, and woodlands.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(112)
3,542
hikers
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is a 376-acre wetland in the San Francisco Bay, offering flat, accessible trails for cycling, hiking, and jogging.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(159)
3,460
hikers
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Closed Areas) offers over 18,000 acres of rugged Santa Cruz Mountains terrain for hiking, biking, and jogging.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(107)
3,413
hikers
Bald Hill Open Space Preserve features diverse landscapes, from grassy hills to oak woodlands, offering routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling with panoramic views.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(153)
3,304
hikers
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve offers 739 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, and grasslands with an extensive network of dirt trails for hiking, jogging, and mountain biking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(108)
3,298
hikers
Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve offers 504 acres of diverse terrain, including shady trails, year-round creeks, and a 20-foot waterfall for hiking and mountain biking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(121)
3,247
hikers
Mulholland Open Space Preserve offers diverse landscapes with paved and unpaved trails for hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and jogging.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(96)
3,240
hikers
White Hill Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain from woodlands to grasslands, with an extensive trail system for hiking, jogging, and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(168)
3,226
hikers
San Pedro Mountain Open Space Preserve offers rugged, steep terrain with diverse landscapes for hiking, cycling, and jogging, featuring expansive views.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.8
(215)
3,173
hikers
El Sereno Open Space Preserve (Closed Areas) offers diverse landscapes and fire roads for hiking, jogging, road cycling, and mountain biking with panoramic views.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling
Protected areas in the United States are lands managed for conservation and recreation, including national parks, forests, and open space preserves. This collection aggregates over 100 such areas, featuring more than 9,900 routes for activities like hiking and cycling. These places range from coastal wetlands to redwood forests and rolling grasslands.
The primary activities are human-powered, including hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking. This page features thousands of curated routes for these sports. Specific guides are also available for MTB Trails in the United States of America and Road Cycling Routes in the United States of America.
This page highlights a selection of protected areas, with a focus on open space preserves. Notable examples include Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve with its redwood groves, and Ravenswood Open Space Preserve, known for its flat wetland trails.
Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve offers over 160 routes through redwood groves and diverse woodlands. The terrain is varied, providing options for hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. There are more than 60 designated hiking trails and over 30 routes suitable for mountain biking within the preserve.
Horse Hill Open Space Preserve provides routes for multiple cycling disciplines. It contains over 20 road cycling routes and nearly 20 mountain bike trails across its rolling hills and oak woodlands. In total, the preserve features more than 150 routes for various activities.
Old Saint Hilary'S Open Space Preserve has over 130 multi-use routes with expansive bay views. Activities include hiking, with over 40 trails available, as well as road cycling and mountain biking. The preserve's varied terrain is suitable for jogging and touring bicycle rides.
This collection includes thousands of hiking trails across more than 100 protected areas in the United States. For example, King Mountain Open Space Preserve alone offers nearly 50 distinct hiking trails. Many areas also feature routes suitable for trail running and jogging.
Yes, many preserves offer routes suitable for various fitness levels. For instance, Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is known for its flat, accessible trails through coastal wetlands, making it a good option for easier walks and bike rides. The collection also includes a guide to Easy hikes in the United States of America.
"Protected Area" is a broad term that includes many types of managed land, such as the open space preserves featured on this page. National Parks are a specific, high-profile designation within that category. For information focused specifically on National Parks, see the National Parks in United States page.
Regulations regarding dogs vary by the specific protected area and the managing authority. While some trails and preserves may permit dogs, often on a leash, others may have restrictions to protect wildlife and habitats. It is essential to check the local rules for each specific location before visiting with a pet.
Briar Summit Open Space Preserve features over 110 routes with views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. The preserve offers nearly 40 hiking trails and over 20 road cycling routes. Its diverse terrain also includes options for jogging and mountain biking.

